Abstract: The invention relates to a method of fixing a shaped body of a refractory material to an interior face (e.g. of a wall) of an ingot mould in which an adhesive composition is applied to either the body or the face or both and the body and the face are urged together, the thus fixed body serving to identify an ingot when cast in the mould. In the method of the invention the adhesive composition is a mixture consisting essentially of aqueous alkali metal silicate such as sodium silicate and a particulate refractory material such as china clay, silica or zircon, the mixture having a viscosity of at least 2000 poises measured on a Brookfield Viscometer model RVT at 20.degree. C.

Abstract: Ingots are marked by locating on a face of the ingot mould prior to casting, an indicium or indicia defining body formed of bonded particulate refractory supported on an organic foam base, e.g. polyurethane foam.